Here’s some ideas on how tho use them.
Firstly their heavy Infantry name can lead long time gamers to think they are the hammer to attack your opponent with. Unfortunately nothing could be further from the truth. Although they are tough and can fight in the front line they are best used as the anvil!
Frontline Hammer: German Heavy Infantry are ideally suited for leading a frontal assault. Their “Resilient” rule means most small arms fire will struggle to pin them or inflict casualties. This allows them to advance through open ground or suppressive fire with a degree of impunity that other infantry units simply can’t match.
Objective Grabs & Holds: Their durability makes them exceptional at seizing and holding key objectives. Once they are on an objective, your opponent will need to commit significant, specialized firepower (heavy weapons, vehicles, or close combat units) to dislodge them. This forces your opponent to react to your plans. Slow & Steady: Embrace their “Slow” rule. Don’t expect them to race across the board. Instead, plan a deliberate, measured advance. Use the “Advance” order to move and fire, ensuring they’re always putting pressure on the enemy.
Synergies and Support: Anti-Tank Support: German Heavy Infantry often come with options for Panzerfausts or Panzerschrecks. While their primary role is surviving infantry fire, these anti-tank options give them a crucial offensive punch against vehicles. Since they’ll be on the front lines, they’re often in a good position to get those vital shots.
Fire Support (LMGs): Giving a squad of Heavy Infantry an LMG (Light Machine Gun) significantly boosts their offensive output. This turns them into a highly durable and dangerous fire base, capable of laying down suppressive fire while moving forward.
Flamethrower or Close Combat Specialists: While tough to shoot, Heavy Infantry are vulnerable in close combat. Pair them with units that excel in melee, such as Schreckwulfen or even a standard veteran infantry squad, to act as a “clean-up crew” for any enemies that manage to get into assault range. Alternatively, a flamethrower team following closely behind can clear out entrenched infantry that might otherwise tie up your heavy infantry in undesirable close quarters.
Artillery/Air Support: Because Heavy Infantry advance slowly, they can be vulnerable to concentrated heavy weapons fire or sustained artillery bombardments. Using your own artillery or air support to soften up enemy positions, particularly those with heavy weapons or large infantry blocks, before your Heavy Infantry commit will significantly improve their chances of success.
Command Units: A German officer (Lieutenant, Hauptmann) can provide crucial morale boosts and enable “You Before Me” orders, allowing your Heavy Infantry to take pins without significant penalty, or rally more effectively.
Exploiting Their “Resilient” Rule: Weather the Storm: Don’t be afraid to absorb enemy fire with them. That’s what they’re designed for! Use “Down” orders when under heavy fire to further increase their survivability, allowing them to crawl forward relatively unscathed. Draw Fire: Use them as a magnet for enemy fire. By presenting such a difficult target, you can force your opponent to dedicate valuable shooting assets to your Heavy Infantry, leaving other parts of your army free to maneuver or strike. Cover is Still Good: While “Resilient,” they still benefit immensely from cover. Getting them into light or heavy cover makes them even harder to wound, frustrating your opponent and making them practically unmovable.
Mitigating Their “Slow” Rule:
Transports: While perhaps counter-intuitive for “heavy” infantry, transport vehicles like a Sdkfz 251 half-track can get them into position faster, especially across open ground. Disembark them when they’re close to their objective or about to enter a firefight.
Board Control: Plan your movements to dominate a section of the board. Heavy Infantry are excellent at holding flanks or pushing through a central corridor.
Patience: Konflikt ’47 is a game of maneuvering and attrition. With German Heavy Infantry, patience is a virtue. Let them grind forward, absorb damage, and force your opponent into unfavorable engagements.
Things to Watch Out For:
Close Combat:
As mentioned, they are not “Resilient” in close combat. Avoid letting them get swarmed by dedicated melee units like US Heavy Infantry (who often have “Tough Fighters”) or specialized close-combat units from other factions (e.g., Soviet Ursus, British Galahads).
Heavy Weapons: Indirect fire weapons (mortars, artillery) and high-AP direct fire weapons (AT rifles, heavy machine guns, tank main guns) can still pose a significant threat. While “Resilient” helps, it’s not foolproof.
Flamethrowers: Flamethrowers bypass the “Resilient” rule (as they are automatic hits and direct templates), making them a severe threat. Always prioritize eliminating enemy flamethrower teams.
By understanding their strengths (durability) and weaknesses (speed, close combat vulnerability), you can craft compelling strategies that leverage the German Heavy Infantry as the unyielding core of your Konflikt ’47 force.